Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located on Bangkok Highway, is an ideal day trip from Pattaya. Patronised by Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand, the zoo has continuously evolved. The bird aviary here is the second largest in Asia.
Animals
The Open Zoo has all the regular animals that you would want to see like giraffe, elephant, tiger, lion, chimpanzee, camel etc. You can also get up close to these beasts and even feed them. You can drive in the park and explore all nooks and corners. You can walk around it but if you think you can explore the remote areas of the open zoo on foot, you are wrong. The zoo stretches over around 400 acres.
Bird aviary
Bird watchers from all over Asia visit the bird aviary of Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The walk-though aviary has been developed on a mountain slope and offers a pleasing environment. Endangered bird species here include the Black Necked Stork and White Crested Laughing Thrush. Visiting the bird aviary is a joyful experience for every lover of avian life.
Nature Trail
Nature Trail is the wild side of the park. A lake inside the park is home to herons. On the undulating landscape is the big cats' complex. It is the residence of jaguar, cougar, fishing cats, and of course, tigers and lions. White tiger is a particularly searched beast among the visitors. At the African section of the park, zebras, giraffes, antelope, and ostrich, stroll past each other in their pseudo-savannah.
Night Safari
Night Safari is a famous attraction of the Open Zoo. It commences with a dinner buffet of Thai cuisine. A guided 45 minute tram ride takes the tourists on the night safari along a 3.5 km route through natural habitats.
Successful breeding
The zoo has successfully bred some endangered animals like rare Clouded Leopard. More such animals are Asian Wild Dog, Malayan Tapir and tiger.
How to reach
Reaching Khao Kheow Open Zoo via public transport is not easy. So it would be better if you hire a car or taxi. The journey would take approximate 90 minutes.
A premiere Thai Zoo
Launched way back in 1978, Khao Kheow was a part of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand. Now it sits pretty as one of the biggest open zoos in Thailand, with more than 200 different kinds of beasts.
Refreshments
You can have refreshments at any of the multiple stalls throughout the zoo and you would be happy to get these. After all you would be tired after strolling in the huge park for long and need some snacks and cold drinks.
Opening time
8 am to 6 pm everyday, plus a night safari.